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Wednesday, April 3, 2013

It was so hard to close down after I hit the "publish" button on the last page and go to work. Not feeling like being around anyone other than family, and then go to work where it's nonstop talking to employees and customers on the phone for over nine hours straight without a break is hard. Now, it after 03:30 AM and although my mind is so very tired, it still is going a hundred miles an hour - from one subject to the next -until it's even difficult for me to just type this.

I was going to write in more detail tonight (sorry - morning) but I can tell that if I do not shut this down and get my mind off some things, sleep may never come. I did not get in bed until well after 4am yesterday. So, I am going to leave you with yet another couple paragraphs from the book I just completed that I wish all of you could read:

"We all build internal sea walls to keep at bay the sadness's of life and the ofter overwhelming forces within our minds. In whatever way we do this - through love, work, family, faith, friends, denial, alcohol, drugs, or medication - we build these walls, stone by stone, over a lifetime. One of the most difficult problems is to construct these barriers of such a height and strength that one has a true harbor, a sanctuary away from crippling turmoil and pain, but yet low enough, and permeable enough, to let in fresh sea -water that will fend off the inevitable inclination toward brackishness. For someone with my cast of mind and mood, medicine is an integral element of this wall: without it, I would be constantly beholden to the crushing movements of a mental sea; I would, unquestionably, be dead or insane."

"But love is, to me, the ultimate more extraordinary part of the breakwater wall: it helps to shut out the terror and awfulness, while at the same time, allowing in life and beauty and vitality."

Monday, April 1, 2013

Many things beyond my control have prevented me from writing. The commitment I made to myself months ago to write two or three times a week has just not been possible, and putting aside all the other challenges I am under, this failure of not reaching my goal is in itself - depressing.

I will leave you with a short quote I found that touched my heart. It may appeal to some, and not to others. Before I do, I want all of you who suffer from any degree of this dreadful illness to know that just because I may not know you personally, my thoughts and Prayers are with you. I have never doubted that no matter how serious my condition may be there are some of you who suffer more than anyone could ever imagine. Always remember, the man who tries to write this simple little blog constantly hopes you will get better soon and will NEVER give up! I always wish I could say something here that would help you; lift you up; give you the strength and courage to keep fighting the battle and always...hang in there!

Extracted from the book Touched with Fire, Poet Samuel Johnson had his first major breakdown at age twenty which lasted for two years. To emphasize once again this illness did not just develop during our generation, Johnson wrote this in 1761:

"My terrours and perplexities have so much increased, that I am under great depression. . . . Almighty and merciful Father look down upon my misery with pity"